20101216
africanews

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Cote d'Ivoire's Laurent Gbagbo to surrender his presidential post quickly to avoid international sanctions. Sarkozy told a news conference in Brussels at the end of a European Union summit that if Gbagbo refuses to leave office by the end of the week, then sanctions would be imposed.

"The fate of Laurent Gbagbo and his wife lies in their own hands," BBC quoted Mr Sarkozy as saying on Friday. "If, by the end of the week, they have not left the office they hold... in violation of the will of the Ivorian people, they will feature by name on the [EU] sanctions list."

Sarkozi said Gbagbo must quit and pave for the internationally acclaimed winner of the country's election Alassane Ouattara to assume office as President.

Gbagbo and Ouattara have both claimed victory in a November 28 presidential election that was meant to reunite the world's top cocoa grower after a 2002-03 civil war.

Over twenty people have reportedly died following a face of between forces loyal to Ggabgo and supporters of Ouattara who have vowed to seize state institutions.